Officers from the National Police have dismantled a perfectly structured criminal organisation allegedly dedicated to distributing narcotic substances across the Levante region, spanning the provinces of Valencia, Alicante and Murcia. The major police operation has concluded with the arrest of 28 individuals and the seizure of 30 kilograms of cocaine, 12 kilograms of MDMA, more than 720,000 euro in cash, five firearms, a silver bullion bar and 21 vehicles, some of which were fitted with hidden compartments or secret compartments known as “caletas”.
The investigation began following information obtained by officers from the Provincial Judicial Police Brigade of Valencia regarding the suspected illegal activity of a woman based in the town of Torrent. Initial surveillance confirmed a constant flow of visits to her home by individuals linked to the drug trade. Notable among them was a man residing in the Murcia region who acted as a significant partner in the network and possessed his own structure for redistributing the substances.
As the police investigation continued, detectives progressively identified the remaining members. Among the most active collaborators were two couriers based in El Puig de Santa Maria in Valencia and Benissa in Alicante. These individuals made continuous, rapid trips across Spain to transport shipments or collect profits.
Investigators determined that the two main recipients of the drugs were the suspect located in Murcia and a nightlife businessman who owns various entertainment venues in Valencia. Furthermore, another citizen with a high socio-economic status and significant real estate holdings was identified at the top tier of the network, allegedly acting as the primary supplier of the cocaine.
Eventually, a large-scale police operation was deployed, culminating in 14 simultaneous raids on properties across the provinces of Valencia, Alicante and Murcia. As a result of these searches, officers seized 30 kilograms of cocaine, 12 kilograms of MDMA, 721,105 euro in cash, a silver bullion bar, five firearms and an abundance of 9mm calibre ammunition, alongside 21 vehicles.
Investigators verified that several of the seized vehicles featured specially manufactured hidden compartments to ensure the safe transport of money and drugs. In one of these secret compartments, built into a car controlled by the ringleader of the network, officers located 400,000 euro in cash. Likewise, more than 100,000 euro was found hidden inside a motorcycle owned by the nightlife businessman.
The police operation concluded following the arrest of the final suspects linked to the leadership of the organisation, bringing the total number of detainees to 28. They have been placed at the disposal of the judicial authorities as alleged perpetrators of offences including membership of a criminal organisation, drug trafficking, illegal possession of weapons and falsification of public documents. Provisional prison sentences have been decreed for six of those arrested.
